1000-year-old Tripura archaeological site to be developed as historical tourism circuit

Pilak, an over 1000-year-old archaeological site in Tripura, is set to woo more travellers as state government has initiated steps to develop it as a historical tourism circuit with two or places.

place, nestled in Jolaibari, about 100 km from here, formed part of a chain of Hindu-Buddhist sites on tri-junction of East Bengal (w Banglesh), Tripura and Arakkan (Myanmar) region.

"It is a famous tourist spot in Tripura’s South District which is visited by people from different parts of country. We have created an archaeological tourist circuit, including Chhabimura and Udaipur in Gomati district and Pilak in South Tripura district. re is a pack tour connecting three sites", T K Das, Director of state tourism department told PTI.

Approximately, 200 people visit Pilak every day.

tourism circuit starts from Agartala and links Pilak with Udaipur, a temple town in rastern state where Tripureswari Kali temple, one of 51 Shaktipiths is situated. Bhubaneswari Kali temple, which featured in Rabindranath Tagore’s vel 'Rajarshi' is also located at Udaipur.

It also covers Chhabimura, famous for its panels of rock carvings on steep mountain wall on bank of river Gomati.

Stone engravings of Hindu Gods carved on stone in Buddhist style, figurines of Shiva, Surya, Baishnabi, Mahishasurmardini, and Buddha statue can be found Shyam Sundar Tilla, Deb Bari, Thakurani Tilla, Balir Pathar, and Basudeb Bari at Pilak site spre over three sq km in uplands and green valleys of Belonia subdivision.

Research by late Ratna Das, who h authored a book on Pilak, suggest that place h emerged as a major Hindu-Buddhist site in eighth century.

Several rock-cut ims and terracotta plaques lie scattered in area and Archaeological Survey of India is custodian of site.

Executive engineer of state Tourism department, Uttam Pal, said, state government has plans to develop site for Buddhist tourists of South-East Asia and or places.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) h taken over site since 1999.

Pal said, "Since Pilak is declared an Archaeological site, permanent structure can be built within 150 metres of it, but many facilities have been created for tourists outside restricted zone. Footfall of visitors is remarkably good. state government has built a tourist Bungalow at Jolaibari, near site".

A senior official of ASI, said, a stupa was excavated at Sundari Tilla under supervision of ASI Superintendent, P Kumaran.

Explaining its importance, official said, "This is a full-size Buddhist stupa built in 11th century on pattern of architecture during reign of Palas of Bengal." Panna Lal Roy, a writer, and a historian said, Pilak stands as an eloquent symbol of Hindu-Buddhist cultural affinity and glorious cultural past of state.

dominant style of rock-cut ims and sculptures in Pilak depict influence of Palas and Guptas of Bengal, Arakkans in Myanmar (formerly Burma), and local style, Roy said.

"Various ims of Tantric Buddhist gods and goddesses are also found in area. Buddha, Chunda (10th c) Avalokitesvara (8th -9th c), Marichi (9th c) me of stone and Tara, Avolokiteswar, Hariti (me of bronze). style of Pilak sculptures was prevalent in Bengal during 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries'," Dr Biswip Nandi, a historian, wrote in his book 'Rock-cut and sculptures of Tripura'.

" moulded terracotta plaques bear resemblance with moulded plaques recovered from Paharpur and Mainamati in Banglesh", Roy said.

According to a state government website, "it may be presumed that extensive plains of Tripura were under control of several dynasties who ruled in Eastern Bengal and Samatata in ancient period. Some of m were Buddhists and ors were Hindus. Most of se rulers h ir capitals near this region. ancient kingdom of Pattikera h its capital in Comilla region and Pilak is t very far from Comilla".

Tripura government received over Rs 1,600 crore in funds for developing tourism sector for next five years, state Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said in April.

In 2022-23, rastern state received nearly 3 lakh tourists of whom more than 35,000 were foreigners.

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly was recently roped in as brand ambassor for Tripura Tourism and initiative is expected to give a boost to state's unexplored tourist destinations.